"The launch of Windows 8 really provides us with that opportunity where we will have everything from a smartphone through to a tablet through the PC through to the all-in-one," Long told V3.

"For us it provides a unique opportunity at the time of launch to go out to the market and showcase everything we have thatâ€™s available."

"In discussions weâ€™ve had with IT directors and chief information officers weâ€™ve been able to tell them weâ€™ll be able to provide a smartphone, a tablet, a PC and an all-in-one utilising the IT theyâ€™ve built their business on for the last 25 years," Long told V3.

"What weâ€™re seeing with the launch of Windows 8 is, from a computing and smartphone perspective, the ability to move into that space and have a competitive advantage."

Now Microsoft has added to that statement, with the Head of B2B marketing at Windows Phone Rikke Rasmussen telling Mobile News:

â€œBusiness is very important to us â€“ [WP8] sits really well with SMBs. There are a lot of BlackBerry customers that are looking at other options, the full integration with Windows 8 makes sense and is cost effective for them.

Rasmussen said Microsoft will be going into pitches with Samsung â€œas soon as the manufacturer is readyâ€ which will be â€œvery soonâ€ following the launch of the Ativ S device earlier this month.

The company was however not abandoning Nokia and HTC.

â€œFrom our perspective, we will be trying to stay neutral with the manufacturers. We will be doing joint stuff with Samsung, as we do with HTC and Nokia, as soon as they are ready.â€

Rasmussen told Mobile News a number of high-profile businesses have already switched from BlackBerry to Windows Phone, including the recent deal with HML Skipton, the UKâ€™s fourth largest building society.